Council & Politics
5 May, 2025
Mayor appointed to advisory panel
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop has been appointed a Victorian Government panel to provide advice and opinion on local government issues.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop has been appointed a Victorian Government panel to provide advice and opinion on local government issues.
The Government has announced the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel for 2025, with nine mayors from across Victoria being appointed.
Chaired by the Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, the panel provides high-level advice on legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy issues that affect Victorian councils.
This year's panel is expected to focus on governance and other key issues of concern to local government.
The mayors have been selected from urban, regional and rural communities across the state, ensuring that a
diversity of perspectives is brought to the forum.
Three of the mayors are from regional Victoria including Cr Hyslop.
The Minister met with the panel last week to kick off the first of three official meetings to be held this year.
“This panel brings together diverse local leadership from every corner of Victoria. Together, we’ll be focusing on keeping our local government responsive, resilient and deeply connected to the people it serves,” Minister Staikos said.
“This panel plays a key role in advising the Victorian Government, and I’m pleased to work alongside these mayors to strengthen outcomes for communities statewide,” he said.
Cr Hyslop hopes to use her role on the panel to help improve local government.
“I was pretty stoked and proud to be appointed.
“We are there to represent all of Victoria. It’s about making local government better.
“There is always room for improvement, and we can improve local government everyone will benefit,” Cr Hyslop said.
“State and local government as a collective can make change and they’re willing to listen, they’re willing to have those conversations which is great,” she said.
Other panel members are ;
• Cr Louise Crawford, Port Phillip City Council
• Cr Simone Zmood, Glen Eira City Council
• Cr Paul Klisaris, Monash City Council
• Cr Jack Kowarzik, Cardinia Shire Council
• Cr Steve Abboushi, Melton City Council
• Cr Jarrod Bell, Hume City Council
• Cr Ben Blain, Warrnambool City Council
• Cr Rosie Annear, Mt Alexander Shire Council